Missionaries

I haven't been waiting for a missionary for 4 years, and I've obviously never been the missionary, but it still baffles me when I hear about boys "dear janeing" the girl back home right before they get home (right before meaning 1, 2, 3 months before).

Who in their right mind would write to a girl for 23 months, and then decide to not anymore. I don't understand it. Absolutely crazy.

I mean, ok. I understand that feelings change. I understand that feelings are hurt on both sides all the times, during all stages of waiting. But who writes a girl for almost two years, saying that he loves her and wants to be with her when he gets home, and then randomly decides.... well, nevermind. Ridiculous.


That aside.

I thought about writing a post about waiting for a missionary... But that will have to wait.

Favorite Quotes

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if 
one only remembers to turn on the light."

"It is our choices who show what we truly are, 
far more than our abilities."

Both courtesy of JK Rowling via Albus Dumbledore

"Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face."

Victor Hugo

"Love wins, love always wins."

"Love is the only rational act."

Both from Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom

"A self is not something static.... It is always becoming."

Madeleine L'Engle

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. 
What is essential is invisible to the eye."

From The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness 
because it shows me the stars."

Og Mandino

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world."
From the movie Dead Poets Society

"Everywhere in nature we are taught the lessons of patience and waiting. We want things a long time before we get them, and the fact that we want them for a long time makes them all the more precious when they come."

Joseph F. Smith

In Memorium

I already wrote a post about my dear cousin Katrina here.

Feel free to read it.

My beautiful cousin gave her life for her little one, and will be greatly missed.

My Life Story

My friend is doing a blog challenge during the month of May, and I thought I'd hop on board, to some extent, at least. I'm not going to post every day, and I probably won't post about every topic, but I figured it would give me some interesting topics to blog about.
I'm still debating if I'm going to do any of it on my other blog. I probably will.
Let's be honest.... There are no rules in the blogosphere.

First Day//Your Life Story in 250 Words or Less (but who's counting.....)

// Born in Clearwater, Florida, 24 years ago. 
// Parents divorced when I was a year old and Mom and I moved to Utah.
// Went to Manilla Elementary in Pleasant Grove for K-1, Wasatch Elementary in Provo for 2-6. Met my first besties, Lexi in 3rd grade and Dani in 5th.
// Went to Lakeridge Jr High for 7th, Lehi Jr High for 8th and 9th. Met my bestie Ayisha in 7th grade. My time in jr high is a blur of crushes, boy bands, and sleepovers.
// Jr high was also a time of step-family drama.
// Went to Lehi High for 10th, Mountain View High for 11th and 12th. High school was a time of boyfriends, first kisses, school dances, concerts, and dancing.
// Spent two amazing summers laying the foundation of my testimony of the LDS church.
// Moved 9 times before moving out for college.
// Went to BYU with my heart set on one boy, met a great boy my sophomore year, got engaged to that great boy my junior year, and got married the summer before my senior year. 
// Joined a group on facebook that consisted entirely of girls waiting for missionaries, and met some of my best friends there.
// Met life long friends in my single's ward, including a bishop who was like a father to me.
// Graduated from BYU with a BS in Family Life and Human Development at age 21.
// Moved to Pocatello, Idaho with my awesome husband for him to go to graduate school, and here we are!

Body Image and Exercise

I had this goal to start doing the 30 day shred this week. But you know, then that time of the month happened and that goal went out the window.

Let's talk about body image for a minute.

We're surrounded and bombarded by images of what is "pretty" and "acceptable".
I will be the first to say I've been taken in by them.

I have never really subscribed to the weight thing. I mean, I think it's important to be within a healthy weight range, but I definitely don't think that you need to be ruled by your "number".

Anywayyyyy.
I go through these phases. One when I wish I was a lot skinnier (think high school days), one when I like myself just the way I am, and a bunch of others.
The point being, I am really going to get my booty into gear and lose some weight. Ok, scratch that, lose some inches. I'm the laziest person I know (seriously) and so it's going to take a lot of motivation and grit to actually stick to a fitness plan. Believe me, I have tried and failed many times.

(OMG JENNY YOU ARE BEING SUCH A BRAT AND STOP WITH THE DARK MAKEUP)
(Sorry, quick rant, watching Gossip Girl over here...)

There is really no point to this post.
Other than I am going to stick it to the man (or rather stick it to me) so my clothes actually hang a little more like they are supposed to :)

A Quote

I found this wonderful quote online today, and I had to share it and keep it somewhere. 

There is so much negative portrayal of motherhood nowadays, and I thought this quote was beautiful.

Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. 
It is what God gave you time for.

Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because 
you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life 
for another represents the gospel.

Trials

My heart has been heavy, recently.

I was laid off. We will not be getting the two paychecks that are due (about $2000 worth). Because the company is closing, Kyle will not be working there. So, now, we do not know what we are going to do, or where we will be going to in 5 weeks time.
And I"m ok with that. It's hard, but we will get through.
It was "good" timing, as good as timing can go in a situation like this.


But on top of that, my dear best friend's husband left her last Friday. I went to stay with her for a few days. My heart broke (and continues to break) for her. She is also is diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety disorders. The days I were there were a roller coaster, but I am so glad I was there for her. I love her.

And then, on top of that, another dear friend of mine lost her baby two days ago, at 34 weeks along. My dear friend had to go in, be induced, and give birth to a perfect little girl, who had already departed from this life.


I know many other people are struggling with trials and difficulties right now, but those are the recent few that are weighing on my mind.

My heart is heavy. I feel tired.
I know that God is there, that He will "bind up the brokenhearted" (Is. 61:1) and "He healeth the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds"(Psalm 147:3) and that is my Testimony.

"My dear brothers and sisters, there will be days and nights when you feel overwhelmed, when your hearts are heavy and your heads hang down. Then, please remember, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is the Head of this Church. It is His gospel.... My dear friends, the Savior heals the broken heart and binds up your wounds (Psalm 147:3). Whatever your challenges may be, wherever you live on this earth, your faithful membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the divine powers of the gospel of Jesus Christ will bless you to endure joyfully to the end."

Elder Uchtdorf, October Conference 2007